“Give Ireland Back To The Irish” by Wings

The Wings used “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” to admonish Great Britain to allow Northern Ireland, otherwise known as Ulster which was obviously a part of the Irish Island to be handed to its inhabitants. Referencing this historic conflict, the writer blames Britain for any damages citing that they could easily avoid a conflict by doing the right thing.

In the first verse, Paul admits being a proud British but goes on to condemn his country for their actions. He calls on his listeners to put themselves in the shoes of the Irish people by painting a scenario of the subtle oppression which was going on at the time. The song ends with an urgent demand for Britain to let go of Ulster so they can be a truly free state.

Released on February 25, 1972, this song was written and produced by Paul and Linda McCartney, together with members of Wings; Denny Seiwell, Henry McCillogh and Denny Laine. The song was included on the 1971 album titled Wild Life.

Ireland reclaiming Freedom from Great Britain

After the Sinn Féin Republican Party were declared the winners of the United Kingdom elections in December 1918, they declared Ireland as an independent country and adopted the First Dáil. The new government began to release prisoners who were affiliated to the party. The following year, the party and the Dáil were outlawed by the British government. This caused some tension and later led to the ‘Irish War of Independence’.

The battle, which lasted for three years, was between the Irish Republican Army and the British forces. The Irish army won the council of most counties which led to the collapse of British’s authority in the mid-1920s. After a series of peace talks in 1921, the Irish government signed an agreement with Great Britain which is known as the ‘Anglo-Irish Treaty’.